The Labor enquirer., 1887-08-27
THE PLATFORM.

Il THE PLATFORM.
We. the delegates of the United Labor Party
of New York in state convention assembled
hereby reassert as the fundamental platform
of the party and the basis on which we ask
the cooperation Of citizens of other states
the following declaration of principles
adopted on September %, 1885, by the conven-
tion Of the Trade and Labor Associations of
the city Of New York, that resulted in the
formation Of the United Labor Party:
Holding that the corruptions of govern
ment and the impoverishmento of labor result
from the neglect Of self-evident truths. pro-
claimed by the founder of this republic, that
all men are created free and equal and are
endowed by their Creator with certain in
alienable rights, we aim at the abolition Of a
system which compels them to pay their
fellow creatures for the use Of Gods gift to all
and permits monopolies to deprive labor of
its natural opportunities for employment,
thus filling the land with tramps and paupers,
and bringing about an unnatural competi-
tiOn, which tends to reduce wages to starva-
tiOn rates and to make the wealth-producer
the industrial slave of those who grow rich
by his toll.
Holding, moreover, that the advantages
arising from social growth and Improvement
belong to society at large, we aim at the abol-
ition Of the system which ms kes such benefi-
cent inventions as the railroad and telegraph
means for the oppression of the people and
the aggrandizement Of an aristocracy of
wealth and power
We declare the true purpose of government
to be the maintenance of that sacred right OF
property which gives to every one opportu-
nifty to employ his labor and security that he
+, shall enjoy its fruits; TO prevent the strong
from depressing the weak and the unscrupu-
lous from robbing the honest; and to do for
the equal benent Of all such things as can be
better done by organized society than by In
dividuals; and we aim at the abolition OF all
laws which give to any class of citizens All ad-
vantage. either judicial, financial, industrial
or political, that are not equally shared by
all others.
We call upon all who seek the emancipation
oflabOr and who would make the American
Union and its component states democratic
commonwealths OF really free and independ-
ent citizens, to ignore all minor differences
and join with us in organizing great ma
tional paaty on this broaI platform of nat
ural right and equal justice.
We do not aim at securing any forced
equality in the distribution of wealth. We
do not propose that the state shall attempt to
control production, conduct distribution, or
in any wise interfere with the equal rights of
others. Nor do we propose that the state
shall take possession Of land and either work
1t or rent It out.
What we propose is not the disturbing of
any man In his holding or title, but by abol-
ishing alltaxes on industry or It's products
to leave to the producer the full fruits OF his
exertion, and by taxation Of land values to
the exclusion OF Improvements, to devote to
the common use those values which, arising
not from exertion Of the individual, but from
growth Of society, belong to the community
as whole. This Increased ts xation of land,
not according TO Its area, but according to It's
value. must. while relieving working farmers
and small homestead owners Of the undue
burdens now imposed upon them, make 1t
unproftable to hold land for speculation, and
thus throw open abundant opportunities for
the employme mt Of labor and the building up
Of homes.
While thus simplifying government, by
doing away with horde Of officials required
by the present system Of taxntion, with its
Incentives 10 fraud and corruption. we would
further promote Uncommon veal and fur
her secure equal rights Of all by placing un-
der public control such agencies as are in
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